Springfield Township chief completes FBI National Academy, cites networking and training benefits

Springfield Township Chief of Police Chris NE house described completing the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, telling the local program "Talking with Springfield Township" that the 10-week course combines academics, fitness and international networking.

"The FBI National Academy really kind of is that pinnacle educational component to my career," House said, describing the program as selective and nomination-based. He said attendees must meet educational and fitness requirements and that acceptance is competitive.

House described the physical centerpiece commonly called the "yellow brick" run: a 6.2-mile course that starts at the Academy, goes through a Marine Corps physical obstacle course and returns to the Academy, and said participants must maintain a sub-10-minute mile during the session. "It's the yellow brick road ... it's a challenge," he said, noting that some session members did not complete the yellow brick component.

Beyond fitness, House emphasized the academic instruction and conversations with a diverse cohort of about 197 participants (including roughly 25 international students) as the most valuable takeaway. "The value really comes from those information and conversations that occur in class ... you can hear what's going on one part of the country or one part of the world," he said, adding those exchanges help him spot trends and manage emerging issues earlier.

House framed graduation as the start of ongoing responsibility to improve the profession and maintain the connections built at the Academy. "The challenge doesn't stop there ... the challenge is for you to continue to enhance the profession," he said.